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Rockingham: fraudster cops $6000 fine

A MAN who selected items in stores then took them to the counter for a refund has been fined $6000.

Shaun Phillip Lawson appeared by video link from Hakea Prison at Rockingham Magistrates Court on March 10.

He pleaded guilty to 13 charges including gaining benefit by fraud, attempted fraud, stealing, having no authority to drive and breach of bail.

The prosecutor said the offences happened on different dates in 2016.

Lawson went to a pharmacy in Kwinana where he took a back brace from a display to the counter and asked for a refund saying it did not fit and he had lost the receipt.

He was given $43.98 by pharmacy staff.

On September 5, he went to the Shaver Shop at Rockingham Centre where he took an electronic toothbrush from a display to the counter and asked for a refund.

He was given $129.95.

He used the same tactic at several other stores including shoe stores, bottle shops and pharmacies, obtaining cash refunds.

On three occasions, he went to different Aldi stores in with an empty cardboard box where he filled it with a TV and then went to the checkout for a refund.

He was successful twice getting two amounts of $567 refunded to his bank account.

On October 23, he attempted the ruse a third time at a different Aldi store but staff reviewed store footage and he was denied a refund.

Magistrate Leanne Atkins fined him a global fine of $6000.

On March 2 at the Supreme Court Lawson had been sentenced to a prison term of four years and nine months for more offences including fraud, aggravated armed robbery, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and property damage.